Couch-bed construction



Nov. 10, 1953 '5 J, STAUFF 2,658,208

COUCH- BED CONSTRUCTION Filed March 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M W &w .5 Q w o a. X NW1 A w NM 5 E. J. STAUFFER COUCH-BED CONSTRUCTION Nov. 10, 1953 Filed March 8, 1950 51:5: x N W% \m M m V- 17953v E. J. STAUFFER 2,658,208

coucu-ssn CONSTRUCTION Filed March a, 1950 Patented Nov. 10, 1953 coucn ntn CONSTRUCTION Edward I. Staufier, Naperv ille, 111., assignor to Kroehler'Mfg. 00., Naperville, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Airmen Mar h 8 fi t el 1 5 9 2 Claims. (01. 5-27) The present invention relates to upholstered furniture articles and concerns itself more part l y h couches or davenpor co ru e as to be convertible into sleeping beds,

Davenports, s'oias and couches, by which terms various kindred articles of parlor' furmture are identified, have long been known which possess the characteristics of 'iacile conversion into sleepins beds by eans of di plac ment or l ment of dual purpos components which are in this way made to perform in the capacities of cushion and mattress. The present invention concerns itself more particularly with the type of couch or sofa which is provided with upholstered side arms that remain erect throughout both of the alternative IOImS to which the device may be converted. Also the invention concerns itself with an article .of parlor furniture, which, when c nv r e in o It be is ada ed f r cup y with d es reposins tra sv rse 9 the longitudinal couch dimension so that the invention may be applied to both short and long couches.

u e i s to h not d that the imp ove;- ment is applied particularl 11 P uches in'which the back a d eat cush ons a d posed ine zontally during the had utility condition and where the additional length required to snpport adult bodies in repose is obtained by Pivotally displacing a supplementary -fframe supporting spring section whose tDD suriace is ofiset at assi nifican-tly elevated level so that the removable cushion elements which are normally used as seat cushions overlying the upholstered principal base box, and usually oi significantly .thinnervor shallower cushion depth,'ma y ,be maintained secure and in close juxtaposition .to its adjacent element and at equal level. In this way, uncertainty .and wobbliness of the supplementary uni C shion support is practically avoided while jbody support on an equal level with the other two units 'is effectively achieved.

A principal purpose of the Present invention, therefore, ;is to accomplish a sofa-bed structural combination which will afiord generous security o the .re, e hedcommne t o a ree-s r tion assembly and which will maintain th removable cushion section athorizontal .level' with the base .-box and --back {cushion elements even though the removable cushions are constructed according -to E conventional practice in a shallower dimension.

For a (better understanding of thepresent inve tion. attent on wil nc hesli oette Wi s companying drawings identified in the following 5 durin .2 detailed specification wherein like reference n11- rnerals represent corresponding parts throughout and whereini Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a parlor furniture article preferably identified as a sofa-bed disposed tied? Fig. 2 a, perspective view of the same furniture article illustrated in Fig. "1' disposed in its h pn q l en'i g t d o Fig. 3 is a side sectional view taken just inside of the plane of abutment between the seat and the right side arm or upholstered upright;

Fig l is a side sectional view taken on the same line as Fig. 3 'but'indicating an intermediate condition of disposal of "the movable components advanced towards attainment of a'reclin'ing condmgn; r, Y p

Fig. 5 is a side sectional view taken on the same line as Figs; 3' and 4 showing the 'fully at t ained condition of repose with the' re movable cushion scat members applied over the foot area for achiev e v ng the proper" le'ngthto' arrord full adultbodysupport; 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective v ew of a removable seatcus'hion las'hi'ng' strap shown engaged with its lashing button of' the sure l srta r i upp t r F g. 7 is a detail sectional view taken approxmat 9 .lm o s; Fig. 8 is a irag rnentaryfplan view with portions broken away revealing jthe'supple'mentary frame Hint and the removable seat cushion"applied the n is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig 10 is an enlargedtrans'verse sectional view showing the supplementary support frame in its raided nd t q Fig. ll is 'anenlargcd transverse sectional view showing ,a momentary condition of operation transient between theillustrations of Figs. 4 and g which the supplementary or leg support frame structure is released f or extension;

lF c 5 a ra m nt id et bna i shqwin th pe tio init a e n Fig'. t

. proaiching final erection;

ri s is an enla ged se iona v ew t ro h one of the side hinge assembly un itsin which portions are I brolgen away to reveal posterior detai a Fig. 14 ,isa fragmentary perspective View of a supplementary name le hiils appa atus t a particu arl enhance t e utilit h fi es'n invention.

in its erect day time, or parlor-use condl- In the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 2| has been employed to indicate generally a base frame of a sofa-bed or similar article of parlor furniture which connects together the upright side frames 22 and 23 by means of longitudinally extending front and rear beams 24 and 25 that may be covered as at 26 with an ornate fabric to correspond with the rest of the upholstery practic of a particular unit.

The side arms 22 and 23 are illustrated as being full rectangular members overlaid on their arm rest portions 26 with upholstery padding which extends downwardly on the inner surface of each member 22 and 23 to a level significantly below the upper surface level of the seat and back components 21 and 28 when the latter are lying prone as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5. In

accordance with conventional practice, the side arms 22 and 23 are built up on wood or metal skeleton framework which is appropriately integrated with the beams 24 and making the nethermost base structure 2| and the side frames, which constitute the under structure of arms 22 and 23, unitary and rigid and not susceptible to dismemberment or detachment.

In order to utilize this type of sofa or divau as a bed, the utility surface of which may be maintained at a comfortable level, the sleeping arrangement is provided to extend transversely of the unitary base structure comprising the sides 22 and 23 and the bottom 2|, which arrangement is illustrated best in Fig. 2. To accomplish this resul the back cushion 23, which is a spring upholstered member, after the usual manner, and which includes an internal rectangular rigidifying frame is made secure to a pair of opposite hinge plates 3| fastened by means of wood screws as at 32, Fig. 11, through the upholstery cover to the wood frame of the cushion. This hinge member 3| is articulated as at 33 to a generally similar hinge plate 34 also fastened as at 32 by means of wood screws to the frame of the seat cushion 21 which is in like manner spring filled and upholstered after the conventional practice.

The aforedescribed assembly including the two cushioned units 21 and 28 and their plates 34 and II are link-articulated to the cross beams 35 at each side of the divan on which is mounted a pivot plate 36. The articulation is arranged through a pair of links of which the one designated 31 is somewhat shorter than the other designated 38. The links are pivoted at their corresponding ends to the plate 36. The long link 38, at its opposite end, is pivoted at junction 33 while the short link 31 at its opposite end is pivoted at the mid point 33 of plate 3|.

As best indicated in Figs. 11 and 13, plate 3| will be observed to carry a pair of rod formed latch bails or yokes 4| and 42, each a U-shaped formation riveted at its ends to the plate 3| and having its long section spaced therefrom to a slight extent thereby affording a clearance through which there is adapted to enter a latch arm or lever 43, pivoted at 44, and provided with an internal torque spring 45 which induces the latch lever 43 towards its latching position, counterclockwise as observed in Figs. 11 and 13 so as to seek with its latch recess 46 to engage one or the other of the yokes 4| or 42.

Since the precise nature and operation of the pivotal hinging bracket forms no part of this invention, it will sufiice for the present purpose to merely state that by means of the pivotal elements and latch devices, it is made possible alterset at region 51.

natively to establish the relative angle between cushions 21 and 23 from the position illustrated in Fig. 11 which is nearly in right angular relationship, one with the other, to the condition illustrated in Fig. 5 where the two assume a straight angle. The transition between the position as shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 5 is made by first rotating the entire assembly in its right angle relationship until the back cushion 28 assumes a prone position as shown in Fig. 4, then, by rotating cushion 21 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 4, the latch member 43 may be released from its engagement bail 42 whereupon hinge bracket 34 may be pivoted clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 5.

Attention is directed to the peculiar shape of the side frame channels 54 in respect to the of!- These side frames each are pivoted in a bracket 55 as at 55 and after extending from the pivot for a short distance, partake of the offset 51 and thence continue in the original direction to their ends 53. The degree of this offset is significantly proportioned so as to conform with the thickness discrepancy between the seat cushion 21 and the removable seat 53, see particularly Fig. 5. In this way the horizontal section of frame 54 is rendered sufficiently elevated when in the prone position, Fig. 9, to compensate for the difference in the two thicknesses of the upholstered members whereby to place in planar alignment for service as a bed the cushions 21, 28 and 58.

Near the ends of the side frame channels 54 and pivoted as at 64 are a pair of angle metal legs 63. These members are normally folded under after the manner illustrated in Fig. 13 but when the frame is erected into the position shown in Figs. 9 and 12, then the legs 63 assume a perpendicular position and this is accomplished by means of the links 6| which are connected to the brackets 56 as at 55 and to the legs 63 as at 62. It is to be observed that the links 6| are preferably carried on the outer surfaces of the brackets 56 whereas the side frames 54 are pivoted to the same members as at 55 on their inner surfaces. The upstanding journal plates of brackets 56 accordingly separate the two members 54 and 6| with a marginal clearance whereby the folding and unfolding operations are accomplished without relative scraping or interference between the moving parts. This results not only in a more quietly operating metallic assembly but also it safeguards against wear and scratching between the two parts which, under heretofore known practices, has caused them to lose their surface enamel and aesthetic appearance after but slight usage.

On each of the side frames 54, at approximately the mid point thereof lengthwise, there is provided on the outer surface a short protruding lash rivet 65 which may be secured after the manner indicated in Fig. 7 by an overturned rivet base or otherwise and providing a substantial head portion over which there is adapted to be received a lashing ring 66 which is confined upon and carried by the side straps 61, one on each side of the removable seat cushions 53. The side straps 61 are preferably sewn into the cushion upholstery at their ends after the rings 63 are installed, with a relative short tether or looseness in the straps 61 so that upon being lashed into position as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6, the cushions '58 are held thereat under a slight tension so as not to be dislodged inadvertently and so as to give substantial security to their placement which will withstand the rigors to which the cushions may become subjected while used as a bed mattress segment of the tripartite assembly as shown in Fig. 2.

The aforedescribed foldable supporting frame functionally illustrated in Figs. 9 through 12 affords numerous utilitarian advantages accenting particularly stability and convenience towards erection and disposition. In its concealed condition, shown in Fig. 10, it occupies but small transverse space so as not to interfere with even a shallow base box 2|. Since the fabrication of framework from angle iron stock is accomplished most economically and expeditiously 'by assembling links of angle iron at their junction and welding thereat, which is the conventional mode of manufacture, it will be recognized that dimensional tolerances must necessarily be relatively coarse and in articles as large as bed frames, may be expected to vary in substantial fractions of inches. This presents an aggravating problem in attempting to attain ample latching securement such as will serve to reliably hold the frame throughout its varied positions of suspension while at the same time, be practically installable into a wooden framework that is also susceptible to substantial degrees of variance. Meanwhile, and preferably before the seat cushion 21 is permitted to assume its horizontal or prone position of Fig. 5, the operator will fiex the latch spring 48, which is secured as by riveting at 49 to a short length of fixture channel 5|, pressing the flared extremity 52 downwardly as viewed in Fig. 11 until the shoulder of the latch spring clears the square end of frame 53 whereupon the latter member, being a continuation of the side channels 54 which are pivoted at 55 on the mounting brackets '56 secured to the frame of cushion 21, may be swung first into the dotted position as shown in Fig. 11, thence to the solid position shown in this figure and finally, to the extreme position as shown in solid outline in Fig. 12. For this reason, the latching mechanism construction 4852 and its mounting in connection with a channel base 5| is so significantly suited to the purposes of the present design. After the assembly is placed into position, the channel 5| may be made fast by means of wood screws 1| entering the peripheral frame 12 and the intermediate spar 73 as best indicated in Fig. 10. In this way, marginal tolerance variations are not permitted to constitute serious factors in the holding efficiency of the springs 48 as would otherwise obtain.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to a particular structural embodiment, it will be understood, nevertheless, that numerous modifications and variations are adapted to be incorporated without departure from the essential spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended to be limited for an understanding of this invention to the particular language of the foregoing description nor to the arbitrary illustrations in the accompanying drawings except as indicated in the hereunto appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a bed convertible parlor couch which includes an upholstered seat cushion frame and a seat cushion removably supported thereon, the combination of depending brackets mounted at the forward ends of said seat cushion frame, a steel framework having frame portions pivotally connected to said bracket and arranged to pivotally swing relative to said cushion frame into retracted or extended position, said framework when in retracted position reposing beneath said seat cushion frame and when in extended position being adapted to support thereon said seat cushion, lash studs carried on said frame portions, belt strap elements having the ends thereof sewn to said seat cushion adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof and lash rings engaged with said belt strap elements and engageable with corresponding lash studs when said seat cushion is supported on said framework so as to apply a retaining tension upon said seat cushion for maintaining the same against inadvertent dislodgement.

2. In a bed convertible parlor couch which includes a seat cushion frame, a removable seat cushion supported thereon, an extensible framework connected to said seat cushion frame, lash studs carried on said framework, belt strap elements having the ends thereof sewn to said seat cushion adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof, and lash rings engaged with said belt strap elements and engageable with corresponding lash studs when said seat cushion is supported on said framework so as to apply a retaining tension upon said seat cushion for maintaining the same against inadvertent dislodgement.

EDWARD J. STAUFFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,736,007 Johnston Nov. 19, 1929 1,989,203 Larsen Jan. 29, 1935 1,997,577 Ernest Apr. 16, 1935 2,328,254 Bell Aug. 31, 1943 

